Vehicle body with pre-hung midgate panel

Abstract

A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent to the first compartment. The body includes a plurality of body components defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A structural support ring is attached in the opening and includes a pivotable midgate panel preassembled to the support ring to ease installation. At least one hinge is pivotably connected between the midgate panel and the support ring. At least one latch selectively secures the midgate panel in an upright closed position.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A vehicle body having a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment, the body comprising: 
       a plurality of body components defining an opening between the first and second compartments; and  
       a structural support ring attached in said opening and including a pivotable midgate panel preassembled to the support ring to ease installation, at least one hinge pivotally connecting the midgate panel to the support ring, and at least one latch selectively securing the midgate panel in an upright closed position.  
     
     
       2. The body of  claim 1 , wherein said support ring is welded to said body components in the opening. 
     
     
       3. The body of  claim 1 , wherein said midgate panel is connected inside a lower portion of the ring, and the ring further comprises a cross-bar and a window connected inside an upper portion of the ring, and a window latch operative to hold the window closed in the ring. 
     
     
       4. The body of  claim 1 , further comprising a window connected in said opening above the support ring. 
     
     
       5. The body of  claim 1 , wherein said support ring is a one-piece steel ring which is bolted to said body components. 
     
     
       6. The body of  claim 3 , further comprising a cross-bar extending across the ring between the midgate panel and the window.